South East Asian Nutrition Surveys II (SEANUTS II) Thailand: Triple burden of malnutrition among Thai children aged 6 months to 12 years
Issued Date
2024-01-01
Resource Type
ISSN
13689800
eISSN
14752727
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85183557356
Journal Title
Public Health Nutrition
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SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Public Health Nutrition (2024)
Suggested Citation
Pongcharoen T., Rojroongwasinkul N., Tuntipopipat S., Winichagoon P., Vongvimetee N., Phanyotha T., Sukboon P., Muangnoi C., Praengam K., Khouw I. South East Asian Nutrition Surveys II (SEANUTS II) Thailand: Triple burden of malnutrition among Thai children aged 6 months to 12 years. Public Health Nutrition (2024). doi:10.1017/S1368980024000053 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/95769
Title
South East Asian Nutrition Surveys II (SEANUTS II) Thailand: Triple burden of malnutrition among Thai children aged 6 months to 12 years
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Abstract
Objective: This study assessed nutritional status among Thai children using anthropometry, dietary intakes, and micronutrient status. Design: Cross-sectional survey with multi-stage cluster sampling. Body weight and height were measured in all children. Dietary intakes were assessed using 24-hour dietary recall. Biochemical assessment was performed in one-third of the children. Setting: The study was conducted in Thailand’s four geographical regions and Bangkok. Participants: 3478 Thai children aged 0.5-12.9 years. Results: Stunting showed a downward trend by age group and was most prevalent among infants and toddlers. Overweight and obesity showed a significant upward trend by age group, location, and sex, and was highest among children aged 7-12.9 years. Risks of inadequate micronutrient intakes (calcium, iron, zinc, vitamins A, C, and D) were high (53.2-93.6%). Prevalence of zinc and mild vitamin A deficiencies were low; vitamin D and B12 deficiencies were nil. Vitamin D insufficiency was significantly higher in the urban area and among girls aged 7-12.9 years. Anemia was very high in infants and toddlers (56.6 and 35.2%), but showed a significant downward trend by age group. There was an overall high prevalence of iron deficiency without anemia (25%) versus iron deficiency anemia (4.2%) among children aged 4-12.9 years old. Conclusions: The high prevalence of stunting and anemia among children aged 1-3.9 years and overweight and obesity among children aged 7-12.9 years requires continued attention. While prevalence of biochemical micronutrient deficiencies was not high (except for iron), high prevalence of dietary inadequacies for several micronutrients warrants further in-depth investigations.